Description

Unicontin E 400 MG Tablet is a very effective bronchodilator medicine. It relaxes the smooth muscles of the airways leading to the lung. This medicine is used to prevent and treat wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness associated with lung diseases like asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema etc.

Uses of Unicontin E 400 MG Tablet

What is it prescribed for?

Asthma

This medicine is used for the prevention and treatment of symptoms associated with chronic asthma. Symptoms may include wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty in breathing.

Other lung diseases causing bronchospasms

This medicine is also used to treat airway blockage associated with other disease of the lungs like chronic bronchitis, emphysema etc.

Neonatal apnea

This medicine is used to treat a condition where a premature baby stops breathing for 15-20 seconds during their sleep. The heat rate of the baby drops significantly during this time interval.

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Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Unicontin E 400 MG Tablet

Increased/Irregular heart ratesevere

Convulsions (seizures)severe

Allergic skin reactionsevererare

Stomach discomfort and pain

Diarrhea

Headache

Sleeplessness

Swelling of ankles or feetrare

Yellowing of skin and eyessevererare

Increased urination frequency

Twitching and unusual movement of muscles

Elevated liver enzymesrare

SEVERE

Contact your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms are experienced on a regular basis.

RARE

Observed in a small fraction of population.

This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. Please inform your doctor if you experience any adverse reaction to the medication.

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Highlights

Commonly asked questions for Unicontin E 400 MG Tablet

Onset of action

The amount of time taken for this medicine to show its effect is subject to vary based on the form of medicine consumed.

Duration of effect

The time duration for which this medicine remains effective in the body is subject to variations based on the form of medicine consumed.

Safe with alcohol?

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Is it habit forming?

No habit forming tendencies were reported.

Usage in pregnancy?

This medicine is not recommended for use by women who are pregnant unless absolutely necessary and the benefits outweigh the risks associated. Consult your doctor before using this medicine.

Usage while breast-feeding?

This medicine is not recommended for use by women who are breastfeeding unless necessary. Consult your doctor and discuss the risks associated with use before taking this medicine.

Substitutes

List of substitutes for Unicontin E 400 MG Tablet

Below is the list of medicines, which have the same composition, strength and form as Unicontin E 400 MG Tablet, and hence can be used as its substitute.

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When not to use?

Contraindications of Unicontin E 400 MG Tablet

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known history of allergy to Theophylline or any other medicine belonging to the Xanthine derivative group.

Porphyria

This medicine is not recommended for use if you have this rare genetic disorder of the blood.

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Dosage

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose then the missed dose can be skipped.

Overdose

Contact your doctor immediately if an overdose with theophylline is suspected. The overdose may occur due to excessive uptake at one time or exposure to high doses over a long period of time. Symptoms of overdose may include fever, nausea and occasional vomiting, lack of sleep, agitation etc. An overdose of this medicine can cause severe seizures and even death.

Interactions

All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcohol

Description

- Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

- Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Interaction with Medicine

Disease interactions

Peptic ulcer

severe

This medicine should be administered with caution in patients with active peptic ulcer disease. As the risk of worsening of symptoms is very high, your doctor will determine the best course of treatment after assessing the condition.

Kidney Disease

severe

This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from an impairment of kidney functions. Appropriate dose adjustments and intensive monitoring may be required if the impairment is moderate to severe.

Seizure disorders

severe

This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from seizure disorders. Appropriate medicine to control seizure should be given before starting the treatment with this medicine.

Heart rhythm disorders

moderate

This medicine should be used with caution in a patient suffering from a heart rhythm disorder. Suitable clinical investigations should be performed to determine the safe and effective use of this medicine.

Food interactions

Avoid or limit the uptake of caffeine while taking this medicine. Report any incidence of an adverse effect to the doctor on priority.

Avoid consumption of tobacco and marijuana while taking this medicine. The risk of adverse effects is high even with secondhand smoking.

Lab interactions

Serum Uric acid test

minor

Report the use of this medicine before undergoing a test to determine the level of uric acid in the serum. This medicine may interfere with the results and may give a false positive result for the procedure.

This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.

General Instructions

Take Unicontin E 400 MG Tablet as instructed by the doctor. You should adhere to any dose changes instituted by the doctor over the course of treatment. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller quantities than prescribed. Do not use this medicine for an attack of asthma that has already set in.

Warnings

Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

- This medicine is not recommended for use by women who are pregnant unless absolutely necessary and the benefits outweigh the risks associated. Consult your doctor before using this medicine.

Breast-feeding

- This medicine is not recommended for use by women who are breastfeeding unless necessary. Consult your doctor and discuss the risks associated with use before taking this medicine.

General warnings

Other diseases

- Report the instance of any disease of the heart and blood vessels, brain, thyroid glands etc to the doctor before receiving this medicine. This medicine should be used with caution and any disease worsening symptom should be reported to the doctor immediately.

Other medicines

- This medicine is known to interact with a large number of other medicines. Report the use of all medicines including herbs and supplement to the doctor.

Smoking

- This medicine tends to be less effective if you smoke or consume tobacco products. Avoid or limit the uptake of tobacco products while taking this medicine.

Caffeine

- Consumption of caffeine while taking this medicine may cause certain side effects to appear. Avoid or limit the uptake of caffeine or caffeine products while taking this medicine.

Fever

- This medicine should be used with caution if you have a high fever (febrile) with a headache, chills, and joint pain. Report any such instance to the doctor while taking this medicine.

Theophylline toxicity

- Use of high doses of this medicine has been associated with toxicity due to an accumulation of the medicine in the body after long term use. It is advised to measure the serum levels and withhold the dose of this medicine if toxicity symptoms are developed.

Use in the elderly

- This medicine should be used with caution in the elderly as the risk of adverse effects are significantly higher.

Severe acute episode of asthma

- It is advised to take an alternate and fast-acting medicine to treat an attack of asthma that has already set in.

Other details

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works

This medicine works by relaxing the smooth vessels of the airways in the lungs. It also reduces the sensitivity of lungs to allergens that cause irritation and constriction of muscles in the chest and the lungs.

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Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&Chere.